Professional help needed (in more ways than one, but here I mean musically ;)

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santuzza

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2013
1,609
38
48
#21
Nashville is a very nice city. I used to live less than an hour away and I have been there many times. Saw a John Denver concert in Ryman Auditorium many years ago in the early 80's. Thank God I'm a country boy.
Nashville (or "Nash Vegas" as they say), is a very nice place. I lived there a couple of years -- I actually taught at Trevecca -- but the industry is really hard to break into -- and, of course, it is dog-eat-dog, even in the Christian music biz.
 
A

Abing

Guest
#22
Nashville (or "Nash Vegas" as they say), is a very nice place. I lived there a couple of years -- I actually taught at Trevecca -- but the industry is really hard to break into -- and, of course, it is dog-eat-dog, even in the Christian music biz.
Thank you! I'll check these out. Thanks a lot. :)
 
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LindseyH

Guest
#23
ha.. bet you guys are thinking 'well, she started this thread, where'd she go??'

Well. I hope this doesn't get too long but here's some of my story - I have loved singing since I was little (like 5) but it's always been something little girls play at.. All throughout grade school I've been in choir, the top auditioned ones, too, if my parents let me (if they could afford it). By the time college came.. singing was still something I couldn't take seriously.. well because the world doesn't take it that seriously (American idol and the like...). So I minored in music (singing, though I had intended to double major but no one would tell me how) and got a degree in something else I do really like (interior design.. :) )but I've just now (after two years) gotten a job in it... but somewhere along the line... I've felt God's calling to pursue music (I know you can't follow 'feelings' but I don't know how else to say it)... He's done some pretty amazing things that I've come to think of as confirmations but... I still have to support myself... use my degree... but that's meant I've not been pursuing music and so God's calling...

Lol. So this is why I am prayerfully (made up a word!) seeking a Christian music mentor... I need counsel and I need practical know how, help... God-willing :)

..Abigal I hope your search is going well! :)
 
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A

Abing

Guest
#24
ha.. bet you guys are thinking 'well, she started this thread, where'd she go??'

Well. I hope this doesn't get too long but here's some of my story - I have loved singing since I was little (like 5) but it's always been something little girls play at.. All throughout grade school I've been in choir, the top auditioned ones, too, if my parents let me (if they could afford it). By the time college came.. singing was still something I couldn't take seriously.. well because the world doesn't take it that seriously (American idol and the like...). So I minored in music (singing, though I had intended to double major but no one would tell me how) and got a degree in something else I do really like (interior design.. :) )but I've just now (after two years) gotten a job in it... but somewhere along the line... I've felt God's calling to pursue music (I know you can't follow 'feelings' but I don't know how else to say it)... He's done some pretty amazing things that I've come to think of as confirmations but... I still have to support myself... use my degree... but that's meant I've not been pursuing music and so God's calling...

Lol. So this is why I am prayerfully (made up a word!) seeking a Christian music mentor... I need counsel and I need practical know how, help... God-willing :)

..Abigal I hope your search is going well! :)
I'll have you know, I went to something you'd call a community college and majored in Computer Programming. I worked in Network Operations for 7 years lel. And it's just now that I'm taking a bold step of faith, now that I'm very sure of what God has called me to do, that I started pursuing music. Don't worry, God probably has other plans for your major. He'll figure it out! :) Can't really ask Him how He's gonna do it. Just trust. :D Once you're completely sure that this is what God is calling you to do, let it gooooo! I honestly was concerned of my age, to start so late. But oh well, it really doesn't matter anymore. I asked God to lead me where to go, and it can get overwhelming where to start. But after surrendering control, I've found opportunities that opened one after the other. I get to start volunteering in the Sound Ministry at our church (a mega church with over 60,000 members) and I'll get to assist Sound Engineers. It's not exactly music, but it's a good start. They do recording too so I get to know the behind-the-scenes of music production. They'll send us to free trainings and stuff too. The experience and everything I will learn from these people will be overwhelming. Small steps and we'll get there, sister!
 

DP

Banned
Sep 27, 2015
3,325
41
0
#25
ha.. bet you guys are thinking 'well, she started this thread, where'd she go??'

Well. I hope this doesn't get too long but here's some of my story - I have loved singing since I was little (like 5) but it's always been something little girls play at.. All throughout grade school I've been in choir, the top auditioned ones, too, if my parents let me (if they could afford it). By the time college came.. singing was still something I couldn't take seriously.. well because the world doesn't take it that seriously (American idol and the like...). So I minored in music (singing, though I had intended to double major but no one would tell me how) and got a degree in something else I do really like (interior design.. :) )but I've just now (after two years) gotten a job in it... but somewhere along the line... I've felt God's calling to pursue music (I know you can't follow 'feelings' but I don't know how else to say it)... He's done some pretty amazing things that I've come to think of as confirmations but... I still have to support myself... use my degree... but that's meant I've not been pursuing music and so God's calling...

Lol. So this is why I am prayerfully (made up a word!) seeking a Christian music mentor... I need counsel and I need practical know how, help... God-willing :)

..Abigal I hope your search is going well! :)
You and Abigal are still young. If either of you feel a calling in music from our Heavenly Father, then it would better if you make a decision as soon as possible what to do with it (your talent). You never know, He may only want you to pursue it in ministry of the Church, like a music director, etc. Or it might be something larger. So I would suggest start small and see where it takes you first (keeping your reality job).

It would be great to learn piano, but learning the guitar might be quicker if singing is your main goal (I have to admit that I'm a guitarist since I said that; my keyboard skills are very weak). I once taught a fellow on guitar; he disciplined himself with what I gave him to practice, and within one year he was playing rhythm guitar in local bands. He stopped me before getting to lead guitar and Jazz theory.

The music prof here is right about Berklee School of Music, it's not a university, but it is highly recognized in the music industry. One of its advantages is that you can do a lot of classes online, pick and choose what concentration you want, or just whatever classes you think you will need. Lot of music professionals in the industry do just that, even some of them taking a class while on tour.

If I wanted to concentrate on a singing career, I'd study professional harmony along with taking vocal lessons, and applying that theory to an instrument (preferably one you're going to use to compose music on). And start composing songs in your spare time as soon as possible. The competition is fierce if you ever see making a career of it.

But even if you don't seek it as a career, that doesn't mean letting God down with the talent He has given you. Your talent is for the enjoyment of others as much as it is for yourself. You don't have to have a career in music to share that.
 
A

Abing

Guest
#26
You and Abigal are still young. If either of you feel a calling in music from our Heavenly Father, then it would better if you make a decision as soon as possible what to do with it (your talent). You never know, He may only want you to pursue it in ministry of the Church, like a music director, etc. Or it might be something larger. So I would suggest start small and see where it takes you first (keeping your reality job).

It would be great to learn piano, but learning the guitar might be quicker if singing is your main goal (I have to admit that I'm a guitarist since I said that; my keyboard skills are very weak). I once taught a fellow on guitar; he disciplined himself with what I gave him to practice, and within one year he was playing rhythm guitar in local bands. He stopped me before getting to lead guitar and Jazz theory.

The music prof here is right about Berklee School of Music, it's not a university, but it is highly recognized in the music industry. One of its advantages is that you can do a lot of classes online, pick and choose what concentration you want, or just whatever classes you think you will need. Lot of music professionals in the industry do just that, even some of them taking a class while on tour.

If I wanted to concentrate on a singing career, I'd study professional harmony along with taking vocal lessons, and applying that theory to an instrument (preferably one you're going to use to compose music on). And start composing songs in your spare time as soon as possible. The competition is fierce if you ever see making a career of it.

But even if you don't seek it as a career, that doesn't mean letting God down with the talent He has given you. Your talent is for the enjoyment of others as much as it is for yourself. You don't have to have a career in music to share that.
I have just seen this. Thanks a lot for your advise DP :) Like what you said, I'm starting small :D I will start with music theory next month. Until then, I'm just reading and learning about music theory as much as I can. I'm taking Santuzza's suggestion into consideration, to main vocals instead of piano as it is easier to get accepted that way. I still have a long way to go though. Many months of preparation lol.

Oh I did a collab work with SkittlePumpkin here on CC.

https://soundcloud.com/abigailzeke/you-make-me-brave-skittlepumpkin

I would really really appreciate your honest feedback on mixing and arrangement (so we can improve).

This is the original song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Hi-VMxT6fc
 

Addison

Senior Member
Jun 28, 2014
1,028
46
0
53
#27
Here's a simple technique that only uses four chords, C G Am F.

It's a 1, 5, 6, 4 chord progression and works really well.

Enjoy the video if you haven't seen it before. :eek:

[video=youtube;oOlDewpCfZQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOlDewpCfZQ[/video]
 

Addison

Senior Member
Jun 28, 2014
1,028
46
0
53
#28
Sorry.

I posted the wrong video and it's too late for me to edit. :(

Anyway, it should have been this one.


[video=youtube;QpB_40hYjXU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpB_40hYjXU[/video]
 
L

LindseyH

Guest
#29
Nashville (or "Nash Vegas" as they say), is a very nice place. I lived there a couple of years -- I actually taught at Trevecca -- but the industry is really hard to break into -- and, of course, it is dog-eat-dog, even in the Christian music biz.
I know it's been a while, but what do you (or anyone) think of that? How do you go through it?.. Does any of that mean using "worldly" tactics to "succeed"? (And now I can't get les mis out of my head, lol)
 

maxwel

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2013
9,261
2,386
113
#30
It isn't necessary that you tell everyone HERE what you're really thinking.
However, you DO need to have some actual, clear, specific goals.
And you DO need to tell some people about them, somewhere, so they can help you make plans to achieve them.

Interests and affinities are not goals.
If you have some clear and specific goals... then you can make some plans to get there.

If we have some music professionals on here offering you free advice... you should contact them privately, and suck their brains dry, and get all the advice you can. Doing anything less is irresponsible.

If people are offering to help you... then you need to take them up on that help.

Free advice from professionals doesn't just fall out of the sky every day.
 
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Sirk

Guest
#31
It isn't necessary that you tell everyone HERE what you're really thinking.
However, you DO need to have some actual, clear, specific goals.
And you DO need to tell some people about them, somewhere, so they can help you make plans to achieve them.

Interests and affinities are not goals.
If you have some clear and specific goals... then you can make some plans to get there.

If we have some music professionals on here offering you free advice... you should contact them privately, and suck their brains dry, and get all the advice you can. Doing anything less is irresponsible.

If people are offering to help you... then you need to take them up on that help.

Free advice from professionals doesn't just fall out of the sky every day.
Nor is it generally free...after falling from said sky.
 
A

Abing

Guest
#32
It isn't necessary that you tell everyone HERE what you're really thinking.
However, you DO need to have some actual, clear, specific goals.
And you DO need to tell some people about them, somewhere, so they can help you make plans to achieve them.

Interests and affinities are not goals.
If you have some clear and specific goals... then you can make some plans to get there.

If we have some music professionals on here offering you free advice... you should contact them privately, and suck their brains dry, and get all the advice you can. Doing anything less is irresponsible.

If people are offering to help you... then you need to take them up on that help.

Free advice from professionals doesn't just fall out of the sky every day.
This is so true. I have learned a LOT from DP (sound mixing) and I had no idea what it was when I first started. It's not everyday we meet professionals :)